Photographic Printing

Photographic Printing refers to the process of printing an image onto photo paper from a negative. To ensue with photographic printing, a photographer must take his negatives into a darkroom and expose it to photosensitive paper with an enlarger. Then, he will have to chemically treat the photo paper in a series of baths (a developer bath, a stopper bath of fresh water, a fixing bath, and a final rinsing bath with fresh water).

At this point, the print has rendered an image. However, a photographer can further treat the print with various toners or texturing fluids before it dries. These final steps, while optional, can enhance the intensity or vitality of the resulting print.

Standard print sizes are 3 +” x 5″, 4″ x 6″ and 5″ x 7″, among others.

Yet, a photographer doesn’t have to go into a darkroom these days to engage in photographic printing. With the advent of digital cameras and photo printers, a photographer can capture digital images on his camera and then transfer them onto his computer. From here, he can alter them with computer software and then print them onto specialized photo paper.

Similarly, many pharmacies or photo shops offer photographic printing services that can produce prints as quick as one hour.